In Matthew chapter two, the three wise men came to Herod asking him where is he that is born King of the Jews. In order to have spoken to Herod himself, these men must have been men of importance. Herod gathered together the scribes and pharisees asking them where does the scriptures say the Christ will be born. They said in Bethlehem, from Micah 5:2. Micah 5:2 says that despite the small size of the town, Bethlehem will be the place where the one that will rule God’s people will come from.
Even though Herod told the wise men that he wanted them to tell him where the baby King was so he can celebrate with them, he was troubled at the prospects of a Jewish king. Once the wise men found Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, they gave Jesus gold, frankincense, and myrrh. God warned the wise men to not to return to Herod and find another way home. He also told Joseph to take his wife and child to Egypt to stay out of the future murderous rage of Herod. Jesus going to Egypt as a baby fulfilled a prophecy in Hosea 11:1-4, that God will call forth His son out of Egypt.
Herod became irate when he realized the wise men were not going to return to him. Out of paranoid fear and rage, Herod issued an order to have all male children, two years or younger to be killed. Herod was a sick, twisted man. Once he died, God did call Joseph to return to Israel.
WORD MEANINGS:
Myrrh: a fragrant ointment. Interesting fact, Myrrh in Greek is Smyrna. Smyrna was a city in Asia Minor, and was one of the places where the original churches were established. That city is now called Izmir in modern day Turkey.
